Australian media yesterday warned against a coming South African Tri-Nations’ transformation at home as the Wallabies celebrated their win over the world champions in Brisbane at the weekend.
The Wallabies continued the Springboks’ agony for a third win-less week with a 30-13 victory to open their Tri-Nations’ campaign at Brisbane’s Lang Park on Saturday. It was hapless South Africa’s third consecutive loss in this year’s southern hemisphere championship after their 32-12 and 31-17 defeats to the All Blacks in New Zealand, but both the All Blacks and Wallabies have to face matches against the Springboks in South Africa at altitude next month.
“The Springboks have lost their way on the field and it has been difficult for them to adapt to a pretty simple opposition game plan, based around pace, power and passion,” the Sydney Morning Herald said. “For three Tests in a row, the All Blacks and Wallabies have deliberately kept the ball in hand, avoided the sidelines, restricted midfield kicking, probed the outer reaches and have exposed the Springboks. However, it would be dangerous to completely laugh off the ’Boks. There were a couple of clues on Saturday night that a big transformation is about to occur, and the All Blacks and Wallabies could soon be experiencing pain.”
The Herald said the Springboks at home would be a “transformed beast.”
“Don’t be surprised if they win their last three Tri-Nations matches, as all are being staged at venues, which, like Lang Park for the Wallabies, are their spiritual homes,” the Herald said. “All are at altitude and we at least know what that does to the Wallabies.”
The Wallabies take on the All Blacks in Melbourne, Australia, on Saturday and are back up against them in Christchurch on Aug. 7, before traveling to South Africa.
The Australian newspaper said how well the Wallabies cope with the altitude in South Africa might depend on how they fare against the All Blacks beforehand.
“Australia has lost its past seven Tests to New Zealand and what makes it even more galling is that in five of those Tests they led at halftime before capitulating,” the Australian said.
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